The NBA Thread

[DomMcRaven]

7 minutes ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

"But dat efficiency"

I know right! "All about the analytics and true shooting percentage!"

[Cville-Raven]

9 minutes ago, Inqui said:

Hahaha, RIP parity.

The league is broken now.

[redrum52]

35 minutes ago, Inqui said:

Hahaha, RIP parity. Looks like the West is just as up for grabs as the East now. It could be kinda fun to watch, but hopefully he opts out after they win the title next year because it'll get pretty boring if he spends the next eight years of his career there.

Now the homer in me really wants the Magic to go after Westbrook. *sticks fingers in ears*

I don't care what people say.  There's no parity in the NBA.  Did anyone really predict the Broncos and Panthers in the SB last year?  Everyone knew who would make it from the East and it was between the Spurs and GS in the West.  You can say 3-4 teams in each conference have a legitimate shot in the NFL each year.

 

I don't think I'll be playing 2k online next year though.

Edited July 4, 2016 by redrum52

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

40 minutes ago, DomMcRaven said:

I know right! "All about the analytics and true shooting percentage!"

"Yeah. He's there with MJ and Bron in that regard. He's the real MVP"

[Inqui]

4 minutes ago, redrum52 said:

I don't care what people say.  There's no parity in the NBA.  Did anyone really predict the Broncos and Panthers in the SB last year?  Everyone knew who would make it from the East and it was between the Spurs and GS in the West.  You can say 3-4 teams in each conference have a legitimate shot in the NFL each year.

 

I don't think I'll be playing 2k online next year though.

Even Adam Silver himself said a few weeks ago that the NBA will never have the same parity as the NFL. The East has always belonged to LeBron (with the Celtics super-team acting as a minor blip and the Dwight-led Magic that one year), but at least the West has recently had the Spurs, Thunder and Warriors (or even the Clippers if they got it all together). It wasn't NFL-level parity by any stretch, but at least there was a bit of genuine competition at the top. But this signing is something out of NBA2k. Ah well, personally I'm treating this new super-team for what it is and hopefully doesn't stick around for a full decade or anything.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

 

1 minute ago, Inqui said:

Even Adam Silver himself said a few weeks ago that the NBA will never have the same parity as the NFL. The East has always belonged to LeBron (with the Celtics super-team acting as a minor blip and the Dwight-led Magic that one year), but at least the West has recently had the Spurs, Thunder and Warriors (or even the Clippers if they got it all together). It wasn't NFL-level parity by any stretch, but at least there was a bit of genuine competition at the top. But this signing is something out of NBA2k. Ah well, personally I'm treating this new super-team for what it is and hopefully doesn't stick around for a full decade or anything.

*somehow convinces Westbrook to join them next year.*

*moves Klay to the Bench and Westbrook to SG*

[-Truth-]

Just now, Inqui said:

Even Adam Silver himself said a few weeks ago that the NBA will never have the same parity as the NFL. The East has always belonged to LeBron (with the Celtics super-team acting as a minor blip and the Dwight-led Magic that one year), but at least the West has recently had the Spurs, Thunder and Warriors (or even the Clippers if they got it all together). It wasn't NFL-level parity by any stretch, but at least there was a bit of genuine competition at the top. But this signing is something out of NBA2k. Ah well, personally I'm treating this new super-team for what it is and hopefully doesn't stick around for a full decade or anything.

This exactly. The NFL and NBA are not comparable when it comes to predictability of who ends up as the champion.

[Inqui]

5 minutes ago, -Truth- said:

This exactly. The NFL and NBA are not comparable when it comes to predictability of who ends up as the champion.

Yeah, it's the nature of the game too. One insanely talented player makes more of a difference when he only has four teammates on the court than one insanely talented player who has 10 on the field at once (and can still get tackled instantly if his LT is James Hurst.... hypothetically, of course), and careers last longer. Like you say, completely different beasts.

[JO_75]

1 hour ago, Inqui said:

Yeah, it's the nature of the game too. One insanely talented player makes more of a difference when he only has four teammates on the court than one insanely talented player who has 10 on the field at once (and can still get tackled instantly if his LT is James Hurst.... hypothetically, of course), and careers last longer. Like you say, completely different beasts.

Yep, building "Dream Teams"(as Vince Young would say) will always be the way to win in the NBA. There really is no way for the NBA to replicate the parity that the NFL has. 

[ALPHA]

8 hours ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

Ugh. Durant to the Warriors. The can't beat em join em mentality is full of crap.. Officially have no respect for him anymore. 

 

 

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/kevin-durant-nba-free-agency-announcement/

Weak move jumping on another bandwagon so Curry can win a ring for him.

[Deflated Football]

LeBron is the reason for all this crap going on 

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

BREAKING NEWS: Warriors hold Bogut hostage before trading him. Bogut to restructure deal to stay with Warriors.

 

tis a joke btw

[redrum52]

8 hours ago, Inqui said:

Even Adam Silver himself said a few weeks ago that the NBA will never have the same parity as the NFL. The East has always belonged to LeBron (with the Celtics super-team acting as a minor blip and the Dwight-led Magic that one year), but at least the West has recently had the Spurs, Thunder and Warriors (or even the Clippers if they got it all together). It wasn't NFL-level parity by any stretch, but at least there was a bit of genuine competition at the top. But this signing is something out of NBA2k. Ah well, personally I'm treating this new super-team for what it is and hopefully doesn't stick around for a full decade or anything.

Truth is, it's always been like this.  Once in a while a team would rise to the occasion, but the good teams usually stopped winning because they got old or were injured when abother team peaked.  Celtics, Lakers, Pistons, Bulls, Lakers again, Celtics and Heat are all good examples.  People will say this is different from what LeBron did, but is it really?  Yes, the Heat didn't break a record, but that's because those players all colluded to be FA at the same time.  Hell, look at the Boston big 3, but now everyone's salty cause KD is doing it?  Kick rocks.  KD wasn't born in OKC and anointed the "Chosen One," or the King.  The Showtime Lakers were STACKED, were people complaining then?  If he stayed with the Thunder and never won, all you'd hear about is how he never got a ring.  If he went to another team, then it would be, why didn't he go where he had the best chance to win.  Damned if you do, Damned if you don't.  I'm a Knicks fans, but I'm going to have a blast watching GS play next year.  Also, Bron left 2 teams.  He bailed on the Heat and I don't care what people say.   He went to a team with 4 #1 picks and traded for another superstar, with one already on his team.  He went under the guise of returning home, but he knew they were younger and better in Cleveland.

 

Also, if Kobe didn't run Shaq off, the Lakers reign would've been a lot worse.

Edited July 5, 2016 by redrum52

[rmw10]

Once again, I can't claim to be much of a basketball fan, but why the hate?  If this is the move that he thinks will get him the most rings, then it makes 100% sense.  Maybe that's what he cares about.  I see so many people claiming he'll have no legacy and will ride on the coattails of an already good team.  Does it really matter? Maybe he's in it for the rings and not for his own personal accomplishments.

[redrum52]

7 hours ago, JO_75 said:

Yep, building "Dream Teams"(as Vince Young would say) will always be the way to win in the NBA. There really is no way for the NBA to replicate the parity that the NFL has. 

To build up in the NBA takes "luck," plain and simple.  Each of these teams that have created a super team, first needed to draft their own star, then have enough pieces or cap to put a team around them, while being to afford the people they're pursuing.   Think about this.  The Warriors were able to draft and develop their guys and then acquire great role players.  Then, remember they were in the hunt for Love and weren't they close to trading Klay for Love?  They didn't do it and now look at them.  Unfortunately, my Knicks have made horrible draft decisions and when they haven't, they've traded away the good players for nothing or flat out gave away top picks for the likes of..... Andrea Bargnani.

[allblackraven]

1 hour ago, rmw10 said:

Once again, I can't claim to be much of a basketball fan, but why the hate?  If this is the move that he thinks will get him the most rings, then it makes 100% sense.  Maybe that's what he cares about.  I see so many people claiming he'll have no legacy and will ride on the coattails of an already good team.  Does it really matter? Maybe he's in it for the rings and not for his own personal accomplishments.

Yeah, he isn't doing it for the money - he would have got max in OC, too. Besides, he's going back west, closer to home. 

[usmccharles]

Some fans really need to pick a side and stick to it when it comes to winning vs money.  Just like when LeBron left, he chose to take less money to go play with a better team.  KD did the exact same thing, took less money to go play with better players.  Fans are always saying we wish players valued winning over money then when someone does...they get killed for it. 

Imagine this:  You are at your job, get offered the same job with basically about the same money (when you are already well off), in a 'better' city with better people around you to make it easier to do your job. 

Now its interesting to see what happens with Westbrook in another year.  I wonder if this decision was any result of KD talking with Westbrook about their future together. 

Also, imagine this: KD cant officially sign with GS until they make a trade and rescind an offer, cant remember the players exactly.  Imagine if GS does that then KD informs them hes staying in OKC, the plan all along.  It would be like hitting your tag-team partner with a steel chair. 

[JO_75]

So KD goes to the Warriors and now it's looking Dwayne Wade is in talks with the Cavs to reunite with LeBron in Cleveland.

[Deflated Football]

Westbrook, please come home

[BmoreBird22]

20 hours ago, rmw10 said:

Once again, I can't claim to be much of a basketball fan, but why the hate?  If this is the move that he thinks will get him the most rings, then it makes 100% sense.  Maybe that's what he cares about.  I see so many people claiming he'll have no legacy and will ride on the coattails of an already good team.  Does it really matter? Maybe he's in it for the rings and not for his own personal accomplishments.

I think this is my biggest issue with it. I mean, I get you want to win a ring, but he's really not going to be the driving force, unlike LeBron James with the Cavaliers.

I know people will say LeBron went to the Heat to play with a great guard and PF/C, and I can't really argue with Wade being a Super Star, but Bosh was only an All-Star player and not one of those make or break type players, to me. Even with the Cavaliers, you could make an argument that Irving isn't even a top 5 PG, certainly not the best, and that Love is a shell of his former self. 

With KD, he's going to a team with the best SG, PG, and one of the best SF's in the league. They've proven they can win without him (something the teams LeBron played with hadn't proven at all or hadn't done in several years when Wade had Shaq), so it's really going to feel like KD is literally going there to get a ring for the sake of getting a ring, not to actually have earned it or been that difference maker in that championship run. 

[rmw10]

10 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

I think this is my biggest issue with it. I mean, I get you want to win a ring, but he's really not going to be the driving force, unlike LeBron James with the Cavaliers.

I know people will say LeBron went to the Heat to play with a great guard and PF/C, and I can't really argue with Wade being a Super Star, but Bosh was only an All-Star player and not one of those make or break type players, to me. Even with the Cavaliers, you could make an argument that Irving isn't even a top 5 PG, certainly not the best, and that Love is a shell of his former self. 

With KD, he's going to a team with the best SG, PG, and one of the best SF's in the league. They've proven they can win without him (something the teams LeBron played with hadn't proven at all or hadn't done in several years when Wade had Shaq), so it's really going to feel like KD is literally going there to get a ring for the sake of getting a ring, not to actually have earned it or been that difference maker in that championship run. 

That's my point though.  Does it really matter to him?  If he wants ring(s), it seems like he put himself in the best possible situation to do that.  While he may not be the driving force necessarily, I'd find it hard to believe that he wouldn't play some part in winning it all, assuming they do of course.

[redrum52]

17 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

I think this is my biggest issue with it. I mean, I get you want to win a ring, but he's really not going to be the driving force, unlike LeBron James with the Cavaliers.

I know people will say LeBron went to the Heat to play with a great guard and PF/C, and I can't really argue with Wade being a Super Star, but Bosh was only an All-Star player and not one of those make or break type players, to me. Even with the Cavaliers, you could make an argument that Irving isn't even a top 5 PG, certainly not the best, and that Love is a shell of his former self. 

With KD, he's going to a team with the best SG, PG, and one of the best SF's in the league. They've proven they can win without him (something the teams LeBron played with hadn't proven at all or hadn't done in several years when Wade had Shaq), so it's really going to feel like KD is literally going there to get a ring for the sake of getting a ring, not to actually have earned it or been that difference maker in that championship run. 

It was being argued he was top 5.  Kyrie is nice.  Wade was a superstar.  The person people looked at as the 3rd wheel in that deal was Bosh, same way they look at Love.  Not only that, he was abandoning a team he had basically built to go to a squad with fresh legs and 4 #1 picks, even though Bennett was a super bust.  If you listen to what West told Durant, everything makes sense.  This could be a dynasty.  There's also no way that Durant isn't a factor.  2-14.  That's Barnes numbers in game 6 of the FINALS.  At least 7 were WIDE OPEN.  You think KD misses those or wastes those opportunities?  

Edited July 5, 2016 by redrum52

[BmoreBird22]

3 minutes ago, redrum52 said:

It was being argued he was top 5.  Kyrie is nice.  Wade was a superstar.  The person people looked at as the 3rd wheel in that deal was Bosh, same way they look at Love.  Not only that, he was abandoning a team he had basically built to go to a squad with fresh legs and 4 #1 picks, even though Bennett was a super bust.  If you listen to what West told Durant, everything makes sense.  This could be a dynasty.  

Kyrie is good, but you're not gonna take him above Curry, Paul (who would be dope with LeBron), Westbrook, or Lillard, So if he truly is top 5, it's because he barely squeezed in at the 5 spot, not because he's some elite, unquestioned force. I won't argue that he's great with the ball in his hands, but I'm not gonna say he's an elite superstar.

I admitted that Wade was a superstar, but he needed LeBron as much as LeBron needed him.

In the case of LeBron, can you really blame him for leaving Cleveland? This wasn't like the situation with OKC prior to this FA period. OKC was one of the top three teams in the West and routinely competed for titles. With Cleveland, literally the only reason they even competed was LeBron. He didn't have nearly the supporting cast that he did in Miami or that he did prior to coming back. It took him leaving for them to get him a real supporting cast, apparently. 

If all Durant wants is a ring, then fine, but in my opinion, it's not gonna make him go up any higher in all time rankings or make people respect him any more. I hate the move simply because of the parody of the NBA is nonexistent and everyone and their mother knows that unless their is some historic upset to monumental levels, the Warriors will win the west. It's just boring when we can go into the next season and essentially pencil in the winning team as a guarantee.

[BmoreBird22]

12 minutes ago, rmw10 said:

That's my point though.  Does it really matter to him?  If he wants ring(s), it seems like he put himself in the best possible situation to do that.  While he may not be the driving force necessarily, I'd find it hard to believe that he wouldn't play some part in winning it all, assuming they do of course.

It probably doesn't matter, but he could have probably won a ring literally anywhere he went. Durant is one of the top 5 players in the NBA and any team that got him was going to be a contender and I think that's what bothers people. 

He could have gone home to Washington and played aside Wall and Beal and turned them into contenders, could have stayed in OKC and proved last year was a fluke and remained a top 3 team, could have gone to LAC and played with a real facilitator, etc, but he chose the easy route that seems to be there to literally just win a ring. 

[redrum52]

11 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Kyrie is good, but you're not gonna take him above Curry, Paul (who would be dope with LeBron), Westbrook, or Lillard, So if he truly is top 5, it's because he barely squeezed in at the 5 spot, not because he's some elite, unquestioned force. I won't argue that he's great with the ball in his hands, but I'm not gonna say he's an elite superstar.

I admitted that Wade was a superstar, but he needed LeBron as much as LeBron needed him.

In the case of LeBron, can you really blame him for leaving Cleveland? This wasn't like the situation with OKC prior to this FA period. OKC was one of the top three teams in the West and routinely competed for titles. With Cleveland, literally the only reason they even competed was LeBron. He didn't have nearly the supporting cast that he did in Miami or that he did prior to coming back. It took him leaving for them to get him a real supporting cast, apparently. 

If all Durant wants is a ring, then fine, but in my opinion, it's not gonna make him go up any higher in all time rankings or make people respect him any more. I hate the move simply because of the parody of the NBA is nonexistent and everyone and their mother knows that unless their is some historic upset to monumental levels, the Warriors will win the west. It's just boring when we can go into the next season and essentially pencil in the winning team as a guarantee.

Let me start by saying I don't like LeBron.

 

Next, I've always liked Kyrie and it depends on what type of PG you like.  Wade didn't need LeBron because he already won a ring as "The Man."  I also don't think Durant cares about the rankings.  I think a lot of times the media puts a good deal behind this, but when it's said and done, all people will remember are the rings.  Sad part about history.  As much as many don't like Brady, in 30 years, do you think deflate gate or Spy gate areally mentioned with him?  

Another reason he Bron got cooked was, how often are stars drafted to their "hometown" teams?

Edited July 5, 2016 by redrum52

[BmoreBird22]

22 minutes ago, redrum52 said:

Let me start by saying I don't like LeBron.

 

Next, I've always liked Kyrie and it depends on what type of PG you like.  Wade didn't need LeBron because he already won a ring as "The Man."  I also don't think Durant cares about the rankings.  I think a lot of times the media puts a good deal behind this, but when it's said and done, all people will remember are the rings.  Sad part about history.  As much as many don't like Brady, in 30 years, do you think deflate gate or Spy gate areally mentioned with him?  

Another reason he Bron got cooked was, how often are stars drafted to their "hometown" teams?

Wade had Shaquille O'Neil during that playoff run and while Shaq wasn't particularly dominant as an offensive player in that finals series, he was still extremely impressive as a defensive force and a rebounder and played a huge role in them even getting into the finals. Wade may have been "The Man", but he had an incredibly good secondary player in Shaq who had a championship pedigree (with three finals MVP's) prior to coming to Miami.

Honestly, yes, I really do think that people will remember Spygate, Deflategate, and his soft attitude on the field. I'm not gonna turn this into a Jordan debate, but plenty of people still remember his 2-9 playoff record prior to Pippen and the fact that he had Pippen, Stockton, and Grant as great players alongside him. 

Great players need other great players beside them to win. I won't even argue that in the slightest. However, like I said, it just really feels like he's taking the easy route and if they win it here in 2016-2017, I'd like to see him opt out (assuming he has that clause) and go back to OKC and win one there with Russ, assuming he stays. 

I don't follow the draft enough to even speculate on this, but can we really hate him for something he had no control over? He couldn't help that he got drafted by his hometown because he was gonna go number one overall no matter who had the pick.

And to be clear, I'm not hating on Durant for leaving OKC. If he really thinks he can win a ring elsewhere, then he's gonna take that chance. I totally understand it's the ultimate achievement in any sport, but to do it with a team where you might be the third best player on your own team in most people's eyes (for what it's worth, I think he's the best player on that team, but that's for another time). People are going to look back on this and see he took the easy route to an NBA championship. Does he care? Probably not. He just wants that ring, and I respect that, but I don't respect how he's going to get it.

Now, if he gets another in the future with OKC or any other team, it'll likely be because of him, but this first one just doesn't feel right and I bet if he had beaten LeBron and the Heat a few years ago that he'd stay in OKC.

[usmccharles]

People forget, LeBron had to leave Cleveland for them to be in the position to win titles upon his return.  They would have never gotten Love or Kyrie if he didn't leave and they became the worst team in the league for a couple years.   Its quite possible Durant does go back to OKC, do exactly what LeBron did, but either way im not going to hate on a player for exercising his right as a FA and going to the best place for him to get a ring.  He chose winning over money, which is what we always want to hear players do...

[52520Andrew]

I hear this winning over money excuse and I don't know if I like it. Sure I would rather see a player want to win but if you are already on a contender and you have a great sidekick(or are the sidekick to a guy) in Westbrook and quite a few other pieces, and you just took that team to a 7 game series after being up 3-1, I think you should stay loyal to your teammates and to the city that drafted you and try to deliver the goods. I mean I get bailing if you are on a lottery team every year and they have no interest in getting better but the Thunder are a pretty damn good team and arguably got better off the Oladipo trade. At least with LeBron I can understand him leaving since he was carrying the Cavs as far as they would go and was not going to win one staying in Cleveland the whole time. The Thunder were right there and could have easily won it this year even had he stayed.

I mean imagine Ray Lewis joining the Steelers back in 2009 because he thought they would provide a better chance for him to get another ring. 

[usmccharles]

1 hour ago, 52520Andrew said:

I hear this winning over money excuse and I don't know if I like it. Sure I would rather see a player want to win but if you are already on a contender and you have a great sidekick(or are the sidekick to a guy) in Westbrook and quite a few other pieces, and you just took that team to a 7 game series after being up 3-1, I think you should stay loyal to your teammates and to the city that drafted you and try to deliver the goods. I mean I get bailing if you are on a lottery team every year and they have no interest in getting better but the Thunder are a pretty damn good team and arguably got better off the Oladipo trade. At least with LeBron I can understand him leaving since he was carrying the Cavs as far as they would go and was not going to win one staying in Cleveland the whole time. The Thunder were right there and could have easily won it this year even had he stayed.

I mean imagine Ray Lewis joining the Steelers back in 2009 because he thought they would provide a better chance for him to get another ring. 

I somewhat get what your saying, but why should a player stay loyal to a team when the team has no reason to stay loyal to them, we are seeing that with the Heat and Wade right now.  Its just business, KD gave 8 years to OKC, he has every right to pick where he wants to play.  If he feels he has capped out in OKC, I completely understand him leaving and wanting to try something new, it may be a cop out, but he is the one who has to live with the decision. 

That being said, I would have stayed in OKC and gave it another shot.  With this happening it makes me think Westbrook told him hes leaving. 

[redrum52]

10 hours ago, 52520Andrew said:

I hear this winning over money excuse and I don't know if I like it. Sure I would rather see a player want to win but if you are already on a contender and you have a great sidekick(or are the sidekick to a guy) in Westbrook and quite a few other pieces, and you just took that team to a 7 game series after being up 3-1, I think you should stay loyal to your teammates and to the city that drafted you and try to deliver the goods. I mean I get bailing if you are on a lottery team every year and they have no interest in getting better but the Thunder are a pretty damn good team and arguably got better off the Oladipo trade. At least with LeBron I can understand him leaving since he was carrying the Cavs as far as they would go and was not going to win one staying in Cleveland the whole time. The Thunder were right there and could have easily won it this year even had he stayed.

I mean imagine Ray Lewis joining the Steelers back in 2009 because he thought they would provide a better chance for him to get another ring. 

Ray had a ring already and I'm pretty sure he threatened to leave.  I also remember him saying something about the Cowboys.